Susquehanna University - 1940 to 1949

About This Collection

This collection contains the archive of documents, photographs, and brief publications and correspondence revolving around the evolution of Susquehanna University from 1940 through 1949.
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1943 Freshman Class
World War, 1939-1945, Susquehanna University, Students
The freshman class of 1942 was the first class to enroll at Susquehanna University during war-time. Ninety-three freshmen enrolled but mid-way through the academic year many left for military service to their country. In 1946 the University graduated 29 students.
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1944 Sophomore Class
World War, 1939-1945, Susquehanna University, Students
The war overshadowed many aspects of campus life and adjustments needed to be made by all. The sophomore class of 1942 seemed to understand this as can be seen in this Lanthorn yearbook page.
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Accelerated War-Time Program
Accelerated program, Susquehanna University
In January of 1942 presidents and deans of American colleges and universities met on two occasions to discuss the special challenges war posed to higher education. President Smith and Dean Galt attended these meetings and quickly adopted an accelerated academic program at Susquehanna so that students might finish a four year course of study in three years.
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Admissions Bulletin
Students, Susquehanna University, Veterans
The most obvious impact of the Second World War on Susquehanna University was diminished enrollment. The end of the war brought with it the GI Bill. Colleges across the country saw a resurgence in their enrollments. Susquehanna was no exception and by the fall of 1945 the University had a full house.
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Admissions Bulletin
Assistance, Students, Susquehanna University, Veterans
Susquehanna University did its best to help veterans adjust to life after the war. Under the supervision of Dean Galt, a program was instituted to provide guidance and assistance to returning veterans. Special services offered included vocational testing and accelerated courses of study as well as assistance for getting college credit for military experience.
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Air Raid Drill Instructions
Safety, World War, 1939-1945, Susquehanna University, Air raid drills
Susquehanna University was not isolated from the concerns of World War II. In 1943, the University implemented procedures to be followed in the event of an air raid. Here we see the instructions for a daylight air raid drill that were distributed to the campus community. After seeking shelter in a nearby building, individuals were instructed to wait for the "all clear" signal to be broadcast by radio, and class bells or whistles.
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Alumni Letter
World War, 1939-1945, 30 Gallant Men, Susquehanna University, Correspondence
Another letter from one of the "30 Gallant Men" describes his thoughts, feelings, and experiences of being away at war and how things will be back home after the war. This one is addressed to Ruth, written by Al while he was in Luzon in the Philippine Islands.
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Alumni Letter
World War, 1939-1945, 30 Gallant Men, Susquehanna University, Hugus, Howard, Correspondence
A letter from one of "30 Gallant Men" portrays his thoughts, feelings, and experiences of being away at war. It is from Howard Hugus, who is writing from Nausis, Germany, in 1945.
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Amos Alonzo Stagg Sr. & Jr.
Coaches (Athletics), Football, Stagg, Amos Alonzo, 1862-1965., Stagg, Amos Alonzo Jr., Susquehanna University
Amos Alonzo Stagg Sr. joined his son, head football coach, Stagg Jr. as assistant coach in 1947 and ushered in a post- World War II athletic revival effort at Susquehanna. The father and son duo helped the University football team achieve a winning record and this time in Crusader football history became known as the "Stagg Era." The "Stagg Era" lasted from 1947 to 1952.
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Apple season
Students, Apple orchards, Mulhames, Jane, Garman, Ruth, Susquehanna University
Jane Malhames, left, and Ruth Garman pick apples from Susquehanna University's apple orchid. Later the apples will become applesauce.
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Army Air Corps
Soldiers, Army Air Corps, World War, 1939-1945, Susquehanna University
The Federal Government contracted with Susquehanna University to house, feed, and educate men of the 35th Detachment of the Army Air Corps from March of 1943 to May of 1944. This photo shows staff officers of the Corps posing in front of Steele Science Hall, their headquarters.
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Army Aviation Students
Soldiers, Students, Susquehanna University
Susquehanna University was chosen by the War Department as one of the colleges to provide the Army Air Forces training program. The University hosted the 35th College Training Detachment from March 1943 through the spring of 1944. This 1945 Lanthorn page details the detachment's time on campus.
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Biemic Society
Students, Clubs, Biemic Society, Organizations, Susquehanna University
Among the extra-curricular activities available to students was the Biemic Society. The Biemic Society was open to all students interested in the sciences and mathematics. This 1947 Lanthorn photo shows the Biemic Society membership. Note the large number of female students.
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Bike Ride
Cycling, Students, Susquehanna University
Bicycling was a popular extracurricular activity during this era.
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Bond and Key members
Fraternities & sororities, Bond and Key, Susquehanna University
Bond and Key members pose near the Bond and Key house in the spring of 1943.
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Business School
Classrooms, Business School, Business Education, World War, 1939-1945, Susquehanna University, Students
The Business School underwent a few transformations at Susquehanna. In 1903, the Commercial Education Department became the School of Business which in turn became the School of Business Administration in 1924. These photos show students studying various business courses in 1945. Many of the students in these images are women. During the Second World War, the female enrollment exceeded the male enrollment at Susquehanna.
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Business Society
Clubs, Organizations, Business Society, Susquehanna University
The Business Society was organized in 1925. Students with business administration or commercial education majors were eligible for membership. It held monthly meetings and sponsored lectures on subjects concerning business.
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Business Society
Students, Business Society, Clubs, Organizations, Susquehanna University
Various university organizations pitched in to help the war effort. The members of the Business Society conducted a War Bond drive, contributed to war relief in Europe and collected items to support wounded veterans in America's hospitals.
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Class of 1945
Graduation ceremonies, Susquehanna University, Alumni & alumnae
As freshmen, the Class of 1945 entered Susquehanna with eighty-seven members. Many students were called to military service and the class graduated with just twenty-one students. Here we see a list of the members of Susquehanna University's Class of 1945.
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Class of 1945
Students, World War, 1939-1945, Susquehanna University
The war had a profound impact on the Class of 1945. The call to service in the armed forces caused the original enrollment of eighty-seven during freshman year to drop to just eleven by 1944. The class discussed their history and looked toward a bright junior year in the 1945 Lanthorn.
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